National Award for Enduring Architecture
The National Award for Enduring Architecture is an Australian architecture prize presented annually by the Australian Institute of Architects (AIA) since 2003. The award is presented to recognise long lasting, innovative and culturally significant Australian architecture with usually more than 25 years passed since the completion of construction. The Enduring Architecture Award recognises achievement for the design of buildings of outstanding merit, which remain important as high quality works of architecture when considered in the contemporary context. Nominations for the award can be made by AIA members, non-members and non-architects, but must provide adequate material and information supporting the nomination for consideration of the jury. The Award also provides opportunity to recognise buildings that were not previously submitted into the annual awards programs.
The Award was initially called the National 25 Year Award when it was begun in 2003. In 2007 the award name was changed to the '25 Year Award for Enduring Architecture' and later became the 'National Award for Enduring Architecture' in 2011.[1]
State Awards for Enduring Architecture
The Australian Institute of Architects national awards jury selects a national winner each year from a shortlist made of up to eight selected state and territory 'enduring architecture projects' from the AIA local chapter awards including;
- New South Wales Enduring Architecture Award
- Maggie Edmond Enduring Architecture Award (Victoria)
- Jack Cheesman Award for Enduring Architecture (South Australia)
- Robin Gibson Award for Enduring Architecture Award (Queensland)
- Richard Roach Jewell Award for Enduring Architecture (Western Australia)
- Tasmania Award for Enduring Architecture
- Northern Territory Enduring Architecture Award
- Sir Roy Grounds Award for Enduring Architecture (Australian Capital Territory)
Inaugural Award, Sydney Opera House, 2003
The 25 Year Award acknowledges the Sydney Opera House as an exemplar of the great contribution that architecture can make to a city and a nation.
Designed at the vast scale of Sydney Harbour itself, the Opera House established itself as a world icon of modern design long before 'iconic' buildings such as the Guggenheim in Bilbao were consciously conceived for their commercial effect.
The design has remained timeless and has stood the test of time – making no reference to the traditional forms associated with the public architecture of its time, dissolving wall into roof as one sculptural whole on a massive base. The grandeur, elegance and scale of the building restored the concept of the 'monument' as a socially acceptable expression in an age of neutral functionalism and, over time, and it has re-established the fundamental role of great architecture and public places in the making of contemporary Australian cities.
The building is also a reminder that the visions, timeframes and budgets of a particular historical moment cannot easily comprehend the ongoing significance of major individual public projects, or their ultimate commercial and social value to a city. Now more than 25 years after its completion, the Opera House is undergoing agreed modifications following a thoughtful and consultative process involving Jørn Utzon. From this alone, the Sydney Opera House, the NSW Government and the Australian community have benefited in re-establishing a relationship with the original architect.
With the assistance of the architectural profession, and the RAIA, and through the co-operation of the NSW Government and the Federal Government, it is hoped that the Sydney Opera House will be officially nominated for World Heritage Listing in 2004.
— AIA National Jury Citation, 2003[2]
![](../I/Sydney_Opera_House_Western_Face.jpg.webp)
In November 2003 arguably Australia's most well known building, the Sydney Opera House, designed by Danish architect Jørn Utzon was acknowledged with the inaugural National Award for Enduring Architecture (National 25 Year Award) shortly after the 30th anniversary of the building's official opening on 20 October 1973. This acknowledgement followed the presentation of the inaugural New South Wales Enduring Architecture Award in July 2003. The move to recognition followed a long period of reconciliation with Utzon and plans for new work and restoration of the Opera House. The award also assisted in the process for UNESCO World Heritage nomination, eventually confirmed in 2007.
Political role in conservation
The Award has gained an ongoing role in political agitation and conservation efforts for important buildings at risk of significant changes or even demolition. The award has stimulated community, industry, planning and media discussion on buildings considered socially and environmentally valuable that the present owners may have diminished or overlooked. Two significant recent buildings supported by the awarding of an enduring architecture award in New South Wales include the social housing apartment building Sirius in the Rocks and the mid–century MLC office building in North Sydney both threatened with demolition, replacement or major changes to building fabric.[3]
List of National Award recipients
Year | Architect | Project | Location | Year Built | Years Since | Other AIA/RAIA Awards |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2022 | Ken Woolley | Woolley House (now Woolley Hesketh House) | 34 Bullecourt Avenue, Mosman | 1962 | 60 years |
|
2021 | Kevin Borland, John and Phyllis Murphy and Peter McIntyre (with engineer Bill Irwin) | Swimming and Diving Stadium | Olympic Boulevard and Batman Avenue, Melbourne | 1956 | 63 years |
|
2020 | Richard Leplastrier | Palm Garden House | Bilgola | 1984 | 36 years | |
2019 | Philip Cox & Partners | Yulara Resort (now Sails in the Desert)[5] | Yulara, Northern Territory | 1984 | 35 years |
|
2018 | Hall, Phillips and Wilson Architects | Townsville Courts of Law Edmund Sheppard Building[7][8] | 31 Walker Street, Townsville | 1975 | 43 years |
|
2017 | Aaron M Bolot | 17 Wylde Street Apartments | 17 Wylde Street, Potts Point | 1951 | 66 years | |
2016 | John James & Associates | Reader’s Digest Building | Waterloo Street, Surry Hills | 1967 | 49 years | |
2015 | Hugh Buhrich | Buhrich House II | 375 Edinburgh Road, Castlecrag | 1973 | 42 years | |
2014 | Ian McKay and Philip Cox Architects in Association | Tocal College (CB Alexander Campus)[9] | 815 Tocal Road, Paterson[10] | 1963 | 51 years | |
2013 | Mitchell Giurgola and Thorp | 'Australian Parliament House[11][12] | Canberra | 1988 | 25 years |
|
2012 | Harry Seidler | Australia Square | 264 George Street, Sydney | 1967 | 45 years |
|
2011 | Glenn Murcutt | Magney House | Bingie Point | 1980 | 31 years |
|
2010 | Department of Public Works (Architect Peter Partridge) | Supreme Court Complex[13] | Salamanca Place, Hobart | 1975 | 35 years |
|
2009 | Yuncken Freeman Brothers, Griffiths & Simpson; Gregory Burgess | Sidney Myer Music Bowl[14] | Kings Domain, Melbourne | 1959 | 50 years | |
2008 | Vivian Fraser in Association with NSW Government Architect | Wharf Theatre | Walsh Bay | 1984 | 24 years |
|
2007 | Edwards Madigan Torzillo Briggs | High Court of Australia Building[16] | Parkes Place, Parkes | 1980 | 27 years |
|
2006 | Grounds, Romberg & Boyd | Robin Boyd House II (Walsh Street House)[17] | 290 Walsh Street, South Yarra | 1958 | 48 years | |
2005 | Yuncken Freeman | BHP House | 140 William Street, Melbourne | 1972 | 32 years |
|
2004 | Glenn Murcutt | Kempsey Farmhouse | Kempsey | 1974 | 30 years | |
2003 | Jørn Utzon | Sydney Opera House including (Stage 2, Hall Todd and Littlemore) | Sydney | 1973 | 30 years |
|
Distribution and location of awards
The average age of recognition of projects is around 41 years since completion of construction.
Projects located in New South Wales have dominated the Award, with 11 of the 20 projects located there, four in Victoria, two in Canberra (Australian Capital Territory) and one each in Queensland, Tasmania and Northern Territory. No projects from Western Australia or South Australia have been nationally recognised.
Enduring Architecture Awards by Australian state or territory, 2003—2022, by location of building (total 20 awards)
See also
References
- Goad, Philip (1 September 2011). "The 25 Year Award". ArchitectureAU.com.au. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
- "25 Year Award, Sydney Opera House, Jørn Utzon (Stage 2 Hall, Todd and Littlemore)". ArchitectureAU.com.au. 1 November 2003. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
- Gorrey, Megan (3 May 2023). "North Sydney's MLC Building saved from the wrecking ball". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
- "2021 National Enduring Architecture Award". ArchitectureAU. Architecture Media Pty Ltd. 4 November 2021. Retrieved 27 November 2021.
- "2019 National Architecture Awards: National Award for Enduring Architecture". ArchitectureAU.com.au. 7 November 2019. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
- "2019 NT Architecture Awards". ArchitectureAU.com.au. 3 June 2019. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
- "2018 National Architecture Awards: National Award for Enduring Architecture". ArchitectureAU.com.au. 1 November 2018. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
- "2018 National Architecture Awards". ArchitectureAU.com.au. 1 November 2018. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
- "CB Alexander College Tocal". Cox Architecture. 23 June 2023. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
- "Tocal College". Google Maps. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
- "2013 National Architecture Awards". ArchitectureAU.com.au. 7 November 2013. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
- "2013 National Architecture Awards: Enduring Architecture". ArchitectureAU.com.au. 7 November 2013. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
- "25 Year Award for Enduring Architecture: Supreme Court Complex, Hobart". ArchitectureAU.com.au. 1 November 2010. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
- Cheng, Linda (13 Feb 2019). "'A national story of creative technical achievement': Sidney Myer Music Bowl celebrates 60th anniversary". ArchitectureAU.com.au. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
- "25 Year Award for Enduring Architecture: The Wharf Theatre". ArchitectureAU.com.au. 1 November 2008. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
- "25 Year Award for Enduring Architecture: The High Court of Australia". ArchitectureAU.com.au. 1 November 2007. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
- "Boyd House II". DOCOMOMO Australia. Retrieved 21 August 2023.